I've written a great deal of software, be it in IPM assembler, C or VB. Picking a few applications to single out is somewhat difficult, but the last few years has involved me in several commercial packages, several consulting developments and a number of internal applications, so I have restricted myself to five of the more memorable (for me, anyway) applications.
Application Development Highlights
Integrated Performance Measures
Business modeling software focused on all aspects of business improvement. By making the tool as generic as possible, it has added a degree of flexibility that has allowed it to be used for such diverse applications as initiative management, business plan communication, process modeling and improvement (including the modeling of a chemical process), value based selling and programme value tracking.
To be a little fair, this is actually more than a modeling tool. There are actually more than a dozen programs in this suite ranging from simple, single function, tools through presentation modules and the modeling application itself. It uses MS-Word and MS-Excel for reporting and can output it's content to create web sites for distributed reporting. It's been massively fun to create too!
Enabler
A Personal and Management improvement software package, based on 26 core competencies. The system allows people to assess their own performance and to obtain feedback from others via a 360 degree review and analysis process.
Outputs include a radar chart of scores by competency, a report detailing which competencies need attention and an action plan to resolve competency deficiencies. A remote component allows the review process to be run over the Internet or a local network.
This was actually one of my first commercial packages and started out written in VB3 on a single floppy disc. The organisation complained about this because it didn't look like a 'big' package, so I compiled it in 16-bit VB4 - which took it to two floppy discs. They were happy about that!
It was also a terrific learning experience as it was the first app where I had to learn to "draw" radar charts, both on-screen and in printed reports. It also led to a number of other off-shoot packages such as School Mentor.
Billing System
A complete time capture and client billing system that deals with the definition of projects, allocation of staff, collection of time-sheet and expenses data, production of invoices and statements. The system includes facilities to deal with product sales, consultancy retainers and comprehensive management reporting. It was implemented with a ‘wizard’ interface to allow the system to be run with a minimum of knowledge. Reduced billing times from two days to 30 minutes.
We actually had a contractor write a billing system for us. It was a technically brilliant piece of code that dealt with all aspects of billing. It was also almost impossible for anyone to operate. My boss went through the roof when he finally got it. As a result, I gave up my Christmas and wrote a wizard based system that was 'task' focused rather than data focused. He loved it and has used it ever since.
Performer
Based on the MCI management standards, the initial modules allow a manager to clearly define their role, the competencies and knowledge needed to perform that role. Using peer reviews the managers self perception is tested against that of their colleagues to determine potential disconnects.
On the face of it this was similar to Enabler. In reality, it proved to be a completely different system with different challenges. The only useful knowledge I took from Enabler was the radar chart code! It did, however, lead to me playing with some advanced (for me) JavaScript, which you can still see at Role Profiler.
Service Level Agreements
This project was based on providing automated service level agreements that deal with the definition and tracking of service levels and the clear definition of responsibilities and escalation procedures.